Church Leadership

Church Leaders

"In the officebearers of the church, we see the love of Christ for His people.
As the Lord of the Church, Christ appoints leaders and by His Spirit equips them,
so that believers may:grow in faith,develop disciplined Christian living,serve others in selfless love, andshare with all the Good News of salvation."(Form for the Ordination of Elders and Deacons)

Minister of the Word

"The minister of the Word is called by the command of God to preach the Gospel of His Kingdom.
This preaching has the twofold object of calling sinners to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and nurturing believers in the faith and life of the Kingdom of God."
"The minister of the Word is called to administer the sacraments which the Lord has instituted as signs and seals of His grace."
"The minister of the Word is called to the service of prayer."
"The minister of the Word is called, together with the elders, to shepherd the people of God in the Christian life, guiding and counseling, exhorting them to contend earnestly for the faith... and keeping the church of God in good order and discipline.
They are pastors, appointed by the Shepherd of the church of Christ, which He purchased with His own blood."

Elders

"serve by governing the church in Christ's name. They received this task when Christ entrusted the apostles and their successors with the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:19). Elders are responsible for the spiritual well-beingof God's people.
They must provide true preaching and teaching, regular celebration of the sacraments, and faithful counsel and discipline. And they must promote fellowshipand hospitality among believers, ensure good order in the church, and stimulate witness to all people."

Deacons

"serve by showing mercy to the church and to all people. They received this task in the early church when the apostles designated special persons for the work of mercy (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8-9)." In Christ's name, deacons are called to "assess needs, promote stewardship and hospitality, collect and disburse resources for benevolence, and develop programs of assistance. They are also called to speak words of Christian encouragement. Thus in word as well as deed they demonstrate the care of the Lord Himself."

Pastoral Assistants

are called to assist the elders and deacons in the care of the congregation.